What do buyers and sellers want most from a Real Estate Agent?

I want honesty number one. Market knowledge, professionalism and the ability to allow me to make my own decisions as a client are close behind.

People do rely on agents to help them and advise them. My favorite agents are the ones that know what they know and are willing to check on the rest before they offer an answer.

At least one additional non-sales license related to real estate such as Appraiser, Home Inspector, Title Abstracter, and etc.

Work within a team that covers those other additional license areas that you do not have yourself, this would help sellers avoid many surprises, and save buyers from making offers that will not go to close.  The independent 3rd party that comes in and performs these services prior to the final close should just be auditing what the agent(s) have already identified and built into the contract.

For a listing agent, in addition to all that Sunnyview mentioned... I want an agent that will effectively market my home and have escrow closed in 60 days or less bringing in maximum net return to me with as minimal disturbance to me and my family's life as possible.

For a selling agent, in addition to all that Sunnyview mentioned, I want an agent that will let me in the houses I want to see at my schedule, and will allow me to look inside walls, under the house, inside the attic spaces and examine details the think my inspector should be taking care of, without bugging me and without giving me any opinions of any kind.  The first time they use the word "best" or "beautiful", or "lovely", the agent is terminated and I'm getting other representation.  The first time they mention income tax deductions, they will also be terminated.  And if they repeat any NAR talking points of any kind, they will also be terminated.

In addition to letting me in at my schedule, the agent will write the offers with my terms, and if I don't mention a specific term, such as penalties for delay of close of escrow, or delay of moving... or included appliances... I expect the agent to ask when they get to those locations on the forms.  I expect the agent to get the offers presented to the listing agents within 24 hours of when I tell the selling agent I want to write an offer, or at least by the next business day, and I expect written confirmation of the receipt of that offer within 24 hours.  It is also important that the agent does not ask me any questions about anything that doesn't relate directly to the transaction and the offers.  My letter of loan qualification is all that the agent can expect to know about my finances.  The number of beds and bathrooms I request is all that the agent can expect to know about my family.  The type of work I do and how my day was is also none of the agent's business.

The selling agent will also provide a CMA prior for each property prior to me writing an offer with a minimum of 8 comparables, each with detailed line item adjustments.  The selling agent will also let my appraiser and home inspectors in at the convenience of the people I select.  The agent will assist with making sure all paperwork is processed in a timely manner, and will not call me in to just sign one paper if there are several that will need to be signed.  The agent will also allow me to sign the papers at the escrow office I select, or at the loan officer's office I select, or by E-mail PDF's or by FAX to minimize me wasting time.

I expect my agent to be capable of detailed complex searches that are not typical of most agents.  I don't want my agent "pre-screening" anything for me, but to just provide the information (and photos) for me to decide if I want to see it or not.

I do not want my agent chauffeuring me anywhere.  If it is determined that car-pooling is practical, then I'm driving.

No small talk of any kind, especially when I processing observed information.  Also no asking questions about what I thought about any property.

I also expect my agent to rebate any commissions over 1.75% for the buyer's side to me.